The Halloween countdown is officially on, and while you may be balancing what Halloween events to hit this month, you might as well add a haunted house to your list. Nothing’s quite scarier than walking through a dark mansion and facing ghoulish demons and gory characters, and NYC and its surrounding areas has some great options for you. Are you ready? Get ready to let out some screams and feel your bones chill as you walk through these terrifying adventures!
1. Blood Manor, Tribeca
Blood Manor is one of the scariest haunted houses in NYC and is one of our favorites too. The 10,000 square feet space of attractions is enough to scare any New Yorker! Experience 7 different attractions within the petrifying manor including “The Crypt” (where no one rests in peace) or some of the new exhibitions including Hannibal’s Hell, Maggot Invasion, and even a Killer Clown room. This year they vow to have the “scariest season ever,” probably thanks to their average of 30 spilled buckets of blood each night. There’s a reason this spot is the premiere haunted attraction in NYC. Learn more about Blood Manor here!
Where: 359 Broadway
2. Headless Horseman Haunted Attractions, Ulster Park, NY
Although the Headless Horseman haunted house is around 2.5 hours out of NYC, it’s worth a fall roadtrip to take the Upstate journey. They have multiple haunted houses here that you can choose from, meaning you can spend hours exploring the horrifying estate. Try walking through “The Horseman’s Night of the Shadows” attraction without getting scared, or even surviving their blood-curdling “The Lunar Motel” in one piece. They have other less-scary activities too, like the “Black Spider Side Show” and a haunted corn maze. Although it’s out of the city, it’s a must-hit if you love Halloween.
Where: 778 Broadway, Ulster Park, NY
3. TERROR Haunted House, Midtown
Terror Haunt is a brand new haunted house this year (our little secret 🤫) that is ready to take you on a twisting and dark journey through The Bedlam Institute. Explore this 20,000 square foot haunted house where former psych patients used to walk the halls possessed. Learn more about it here, and get ready to uncover some mysterious secrets.
Where: 234 W 42nd Street
4. Nightmare Gothic, LES
Are you ready to save a child who’s gone missing? That’s the task of Nightmare Gothic’s immersive haunted house experience that’s full of gruesome monsters and frightening characters along the way. Compared to other haunted houses, this one focuses heavily on a plot and storyline, as you navigate your way through the experience. It’s in Lower East Side and is filled with intensity and emotion. Do you have what it takes to reach the end? Learn more about it here.
Where: 107 Suffolk St
5. A Haunting in Hollis, Queens
What makes A Haunting in Hollis so unique is that it’s actually set up in a residential neighborhood. Yes, that’s right! This actual home is transformed into the scariest house in Queens all throughout the month of October. Inside there’s 3 different floors of horror (including a basement), consisting of 20+ gory actors waiting to jump out and terrorize you. Plus, outside there’s two pitch black mazes with zombies chasing you and all you get to escape it…a flashlight. Learn more about it here!
Where: 21117 Hollis Ave, Queens
6. Bayville Scream Park, Bayville, NY
Baville Scream Park on Long Island is agonizing, breath-taking and straight up scary. Whether you decide to try and escape the “Bloodworth Haunted Mansion” or the “Bayville Asylum,” these are only a few of the mind-twisting immersions you can pick from here. Located about 1.5 hours from NYC, this is a good spot to make a whole night and trip into. Along with their scary haunted houses, they also have other fun activities like mini golf, axe throwing, and spooky cocktail bars. No matter your age or fear tolerance, you’ll find something that will properly spook you out. Learn more here.
Where: 8 Bayville Ave, Bayville, NY
7. Pure Terror Scream Park, Monroe, NY
Lastly, Pure Terror Scream Park actually holds a Guinness World Record for the longest walk-through haunted attraction in the world, and that’s why it makes our list. They have 10 main attractions which are all equally horrifying, including the new “Bedlam State Asylum” which is new this year. Battle everyone from vampires to clowns to zombies as you work your way around the park that will leave you with nightmares. The park is about 2 hours from NYC but we definitely recommend it if you can swing it. Learn more about it here!
Where: 1010 NY-17M, Monroe, NY